Vanden Bosch’s departure was expected. He was set to count for $10.7 million against the cap in 2013, far too much for a player who produced just 3.5 sacks during the 2012 season. Vanden Bosch signed a four-year deal with the Lions in 2010 and produced 12 sacks over his first two seasons with the team before his production slipped this season.

His departure comes just as Jim Washburn arrives in Detroit, robbing Vanden Bosch of a chance to reunite with the position coach who helped him develop into a strong pass rusher in Tennessee almost a decade ago. It also means that the November page in the Lions 2013 calendar will celebrate a player no longer on the team.

The Lions could use some of the savings toward keeping impending free agent defensive end Cliff Avril, assuming they don’t decide to move in another direction altogether at the position.

I always hated VanDenBosch in Tennessee. Back then, that dude’s motor NEVER stopped!

lilpuppy says:Feb 5, 2013 3:16 PM

sad to see him go as his work ethic was second to none , but father time wins as always and he looked like the shell of his former self . Thanks for the time spent and signing with us when nobody would even think of it

benroethlisberger7 says:Feb 5, 2013 3:16 PM

The Lions are one of those teams that will simply never win a Super Bowl.

thats too bad, he’s been playing like he was done 5 years ago, rest of NFC north will have to adjust

motorcitym says:Feb 5, 2013 3:22 PM

I was hoping that KVB would just retire. Thanx for the leadership and locker room presence the past 2 years!

theuglitruth says:Feb 5, 2013 3:26 PM

I still remember the Lions celebrating the 2010 NFL draft. They opted not to trade up to grab Patrick Peterson and they got Nick Fairley, Mikel Leshoure, and Titus Young. Now it seems, not paying what the Cards wanted wasn’t such a terrific move after all. Peterson is attending his 2nd Pro Bowl…for the Lions, the only serviceable player left from those top 3 picks is Nick Fairley. What a mess!

I still remember the Lions celebrating the 2010 NFL draft. They opted not to trade up to grab Patrick Peterson and they got Nick Fairley, Mikel Leshoure, and Titus Young. Now it seems, not paying what the Cards wanted wasn’t such a terrific move after all. Peterson is attending his 2nd Pro Bowl…for the Lions, the only serviceable player left from those top 3 picks is Nick Fairley. What a mess!

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Shwartz and Mayhew have both said they tried to trade up to draft Patrick Peterson. They said it shortly after the draft…..Leshoure is very serviceable to play the position he was drafted for, short yarddage/goal line. They just need to find that speed back to compliment him.